Huskers Tie No. 19 Rutgers 0-0

Powered by strong performances on both sides of the field, the Nebraska women’s soccer team (1-4-3) battled No. 19 Rutgers (6-1-2) through 110 minutes of play to a 0-0 draw Thursday afternoon on Hibner Field. 
 
The Huskers picked up their third shutout of the season thanks to 10 combined saves from Makinzie Short and the Nebraska backline and another six blocked shots on the day. 
 
NU saw a couple of opportunities to take the lead in the opening frame from Natalie Cooke and Gwen Lane. In the 26th minute, Cooke found herself one-on-one with Rutgers’ goalkeeper Meagan McClelland. A pass from Marissa Popoola dropped over the Scarlet Knight’s defense to Cooke, but McClelland came away with the save. Lane earned herself another great chance for the Huskers in the 33rd minute, pressuring the Rutgers’ defense to give up the ball at the top of the penalty box, but McClelland would make her second save of the game to shut down Lane. 
 
In the final 45 minutes of regulation, the Huskers continued its pressure in the Scarlet Knights’ half, adding four more shots. Short added five saves for Nebraska in the half to keep the score knotted at zero and send the game to overtime. 
 
Rutgers came out swinging in extra time, taking 10 shots through two overtime periods. The Husker defense proved unbeatable in the final eight minutes of the match, stopping six shots in three minutes, including a team save, to maintain Nebraska’s clean sheet on the day. 
 
Short’s nine saves in the match are a career-high for the sophomore. Lane led the team with three shots on the day while Kenzie Coons, who took two shots, added a shot on goal in the final two minutes of the first overtime period.
 
Though not taking a single corner kick in the match, Nebraska successfully defended 12 Rutgers corners and earned the tie despite being outshot 29-10. 
 
The all-time series between the Huskers and Scarlet Knights continues to be tied, as the teams have played to a draw in each of their six meetings. The game brings the program’s record against teams ranked in the top 25 of the United Soccer Coaches Poll to 46-81-14. 
 
The Huskers meet No. 9 Penn State next on Sunday, March 28. The game kicks off at 11:35 a.m. (CT) from Hibner Stadium and will be streamed live on BTN+.